WHEN TROUBLE COMES DISCOVERING THE THEMES IN THE STORY OF YOUR LIFE by Dr. Edward Wallach can be found on Amazon. It may be the best, most entertaining down-to-earth book on creating positive outcomes in life. From the first page to the last, there is a method of thought that may not be realized by many people. This book tells through the use of good old-fashioned true stories the path of the individual's troubles. A particular contribution of this book is to entertain a unique point of view that has not been previously explored, that trouble can be useful for one's development. Trouble is viewed as a positive learning tool in life for the individual to grow emotionally.

The type of difficulty one has usually follows a theme in the story of life. The author emphasizes to the reader that you cannot control how you feel only how you act. Therefore, act according to what makes sense not how you feel. The book describes the concept that one does not deal with one's trouble directly since fear slows the individual down into a state of inertia because of the perceived possibilities of what could go wrong. On the other hand, the author wants one to think of what can go right. Repeating what one has done many times can be familiar and comfortable, but it may not be compatible with success.

Suggestions are given to the reader how to handle trouble in order to get a positive outcome. These brief points are placed in "boxes" throughout the book to emphasize them. The author gives the reader the motivation to change an uncomfortable situation into a positive one. The book stresses the concept of Emotional Education and its application in teaching and in everyday life. It is often difficult for people to see the major themes in their life stories that lead to trouble.

Examples are given. The chapters deal with concerns with marriage, relationships, eating disorders, family, death, and workforce conflicts. Another section discusses why one unconsciously attracts trouble, and how others can instill negative thoughts in us. Another topic deals with the author's observations that there might be emotional components to one's ability to develop cancer. These stories demonstrated how Dr. Wallach's clients including himself moved on to more productive lives after realizing how their repeated themes influenced and jeopardized their present life. By following and using his innovative ideas and suggestions, his clients were able to lead a more happy and successful life.

Everyone with an interest in understanding and improving their lives will benefit from reading this intelligent, timely and thoroughly accessible book. Dr. Wallach is a skilled writer and therapist with the rare ability to illuminate his points of view in simple ways. His new ideas may be used for the general population to add to their own skills and development.